TRISTAR MiLB NEWS YOU CAN USE

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TRISTAR MiLB NEWS YOU CAN USE

With a 1/3 of the Season in the Books, Here are a Few Names
You Will Come to Recognize as Icons of This Era of MLB


Take Note: I’m Here to Stay

Justin Masterson: RHP, Boston Red Sox
Injuries to Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buccholz have given Masterson the ability to showcase his talents for the Red Sox this season, and the right-hander is not looking back. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, the 6-6 pitcher carries a strong sinker and a solid slider and changeup in his repertoire. Masterson’s first start came on April 24, when he pitched 6 innings, allowing just 1 ER on 2 hits. He followed this up with a win on May 20, again allowing only 1 ER. Masterson was recalled to the majors on June 3 and pitched a gem for the Sox, once again only allowing a single run. In only four starts this season, Masterson has compiled a 3-0 record with a mere 2.59 ERA. Not bad, not bad at all.

TRISTAR CARD CHECKLIST
2008 PROjections #339


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Evan Longoria: 3B, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Less than a week after making his major league debut in early April, the Devil Rays signed the 22-year-old third-baseman to the longest contract in team history, locking the youngster up for nine years! Clearly, the team has faith in the young man they drafted 3rd overall in 2006. Named MVP of the Cape Cod League in 2005 and Southern League in 2007, Longoria showed such potential that the Devil Rays wanted to make sure he stays in Tampa for nearly a decade. Through just 54 games, Longoria has already belted 10 HR and knocked in 32 RBI. Project that over a full season, and you are looking at a 30 HR, 96 RBI man.

TRISTAR CARD CHECKLIST
2006 Prospects Plus #4 ProDebut
2006 Prospects Plus ProTential #P-EL
2006 Prospects Plus Farm Hands FH-EL
2007 Elegance #1
2007 Elegance Signature Marks #SM-EL
2007 Elegance Showtime #ST-EL
2007 Prospects Plus ProTential #PT-EL
2007 Autothentics #69
2008 PROjections #173


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Mark Reynolds: 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks 24-year-old third baseman is crushing the baseball in his first full season in the majors. The versatile right-hander has established himself as one of the top power hitters in the NL, ranking high in several offensive categories. In 59 games, Reynolds has blasted 14 HR and accumulated 40 RBIs, leaving him on pace for 37 HR and 106 RBI this season. Those are some pretty solid numbers for a young man who has not yet played a full season in the majors.

TRISTAR CARD CHECKLIST
2006 Prospects Plus #52


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Put Me In Coach, I’m Ready to Play

Matt Wieters: C, Baltimore Orioles
Offensive or defensive catcher, you ask? Neither. The kid dominates both aspects of the game. After being drafted 5th overall in 2007 by the Orioles, Wieters was immediately appointed top prospect in Hawaii Winter Baseball before being assigned to high class A Frederick to begin the 2008 season. Wieters has not missed a beat this season – batting .329 with 37 runs scored, 12 HR, and 33 RBI. The switch-hitter has left-handed pitchers begging for mercy as he has compiled a .417 avg. and 7 HR in only 48 at-bats this season! Oh, and by the way, this kid leads the league in basestealers caught, gunning down 46% of those dumb enough to try and steal a base off of him. It’s only a matter of time before Matt Wieters is lighting up MLB pitchers.

TRISTAR CARD CHECKLIST
2007 Prospects Plus #53 ProDebut
2007 Prospects Plus ProTential #PT-MW
2007 Prospects Plus Farm Hands #FH-MW
2008 PROjections #51


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Matt LaPorta: RF, Milwaukee Brewers
Soon, you will see Matt LaPorta’s name penciled into the Brewer’s lineup card in the heart of the order surrounded by young sluggers like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. LaPorta is the first in history to be named SEC Player of the Year twice, leading the Brewers front office to jump on him with the 7th pick of the 2007 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old can flat out hit a baseball. Of his 60 hits through June 3, LaPorta had already blasted 15 HR and 14 2B, helping him achieve a slugging percentage .300 points higher than his batting average! Putting him in the middle of an order featuring established young power hitters will make the Brewers a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

TRISTAR CARD CHECKLIST
2007 Prospects Plus #64 ProDebut
2007 Prospects Plus ProTential #PT-ML
2007 Prospects Plus Farm Hands #FH-ML
2008 PROjections #36

Information for this newsletter courtesy of Baseball America.